[Spook Show]

UPDATE: Check post #7 by Halstaff. His foam idea is faster and easier.



So my wife and I started making our candles this week. I found some black LED tea lights so I made some black. Now I'm sure a lot of us will be making some so I thought I would post how I held the tea lights in place. I cant remember who it was that got great stuff foam all over his arms and hands, so I hope this will help others that are doing them for the first time? This is easy and you might already have what you need?



First I lined up the tea light to the out side of my PVC pipe and marked it, then drilled some small holes (sorry don't remember the bit size) on each side and pushed in some toothpicks and cut the ends off, you can then use the glue to cover up the holes and keep them from moving.

 

[Terror Tom]

Awesome! Lot cheaper than Great Stuff and just as effective.

 

[kakugori]

This is the first I've heard of anybody using great stuff for fake candles - that seems like it'd be a real PITA. The tutorial I saw used newspaper and tape, though the toothpicks might be more sturdy over the long-term.

 

[mariem]

Good job. I like the toothpick idea.

 

[89Lt1]

nice! i did the great stuff method last year and it wasn't bad... just had to cut them and let it sit and cut the extra off. that being said i think i will trey it this way this year. Thanks for the pictures and method.

 

[DaveintheGrave]

Those black candles look great!

When I made my PVC candles a few years ago, I would cut a ring (about 1/2" wide) of the same PVC the candle was made of. Then cut off about 1/2" of the "circle". Squeezed it closed and slid it inside the candle just far enough to where the tealight could sit level on it. This might work for you, or maybe use this idea and glue your toothpicks on the lip of the ring. Then you wouldn't have to drill any holes.

Just a thought.

 

[Halstaff]

We just use foam insulation that's a tight fit. Cut a piece an inch or two long, squeeze it in and set to the depth you need.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Frost-King-Tubular-Foam-Pipe-Insulation-Fits-1-in-Copper-or-3-4-in-Iron-Pipes-P12XB-6/202262337#.Ujxsvn86yM0

 

[DaveintheGrave]

Good point! I do use the foam insulation on smaller candles. Like ones I make from 1/2" PVC.

 

[Spook Show]

We just use foam insulation that's a tight fit. Cut a piece an inch or two long, squeeze it in and set to the depth you need.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Frost-King-Tubular-Foam-Pipe-Insulation-Fits-1-in-Copper-or-3-4-in-Iron-Pipes-P12XB-6/202262337#.Ujxsvn86yM0

Even better, thanks! We had about 20 more to make so I got some of that at LOEWS, so much faster.

 

[Helena Handbasket]

I saw someone (maybe from here?) use foam swim noodles cut to size.

 

[stuffyteddybare]

I bought piping insulation and cut it off every four inches..this way I can stuff it up the candle to hold the tea light but also remove it easy to turn on/off the tea lights

 

[BarryJ]

We just use foam insulation that's a tight fit. Cut a piece an inch or two long, squeeze it in and set to the depth you need.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Frost-King-Tubular-Foam-Pipe-Insulation-Fits-1-in-Copper-or-3-4-in-Iron-Pipes-P12XB-6/202262337#.Ujxsvn86yM0

This is what I do, super cheap and super easy.

 

[booswife02]

Brilliant Spook Show! Thanks for the post. I did a much more complicated version last year. I need more so I think I'll try your way!

 

[Excogitate]

Well done! Great idea!

 

[Spook Show]

Thanks, but Halstaff's foam idea was way better then my tooth pick idea. I used the foam and its a lot faster.

 

[matrixmom]

I love the toothpick idea - the tealight is then removable....if it goes out.

 

[SpiderWitch]

We used a drill and made two holes on each side of the cylinder, roughly parallel, and then pushed lengths of coat hanger through the holes. We cut the ends flush, and once covered with the hot glue drips, the wire made a perfect support for the tea lights.